M. David Perez died Aug. 24 at age 54. He practiced law in Cheatham and Blount counties before settling in Gainesboro in Jackson County. A memorial service will be held Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. CDT at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 1216 Sneed Rd. W., Franklin 37069.

The Texas State History Museum Foundation (TSHMF) will honor Dean of Belmont College of Law and former U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales as a 2024 History-Making Texan at the 20th annual Texas Independence Day Dinner in February. The award recognizes living Texas legends whose contributions to the state and the nation have been truly historic and exceptional in scope. Gonzales notes, “I am incredibly honored to be receiving such an award from my home state, and it is especially humbling to be joining the esteemed company of past honorees of the Texas State History Museum Foundation. I am grateful for those involved in my selection and for the many mentors, friends and family members who have supported me throughout my life.”

Clarksville is celebrating the opening of a new mental health court as part of a statewide effort to expand access to such courts, WKRN reports. Mental health courts are designed to reduce correctional costs, enhance community safety and improve public welfare. Participants are identified through a screening and assessment process, and they voluntarily agree to engage in community-based treatment. Tennessee has seen a significant increase in the number of mental health courts, with 17 now in operation due to increased funding and support from the state. These courts are seen as a way to reduce incarceration rates, improve public safety, and help individuals lead better lives.

There is increasing discussion among elected officials in outlying Shelby County cities about the possibility of forming a new county, though it remains a complex and challenging endeavor. The Daily Memphian reports that the idea has resurfaced in connection with topics like utility districts and concerns about crime rates and the governance of Shelby County. While some officials believe it's worth exploring the concept of a new county, others caution against raising unrealistic expectations and emphasize the difficulties involved in meeting constitutional requirements for creating a new county, including size and voter approval thresholds.

The Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday allowed a state law that bans gender-affirming care for transgender youth — including treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy — to remain in effect while a legal challenge continues. WPLN reports that the court cited the recent Dobbs v. Jackson ruling, which ended the federal right to abortion, arguing that the law does not discriminate on the basis of sex. The decision reversed a lower court ruling, which had imposed a temporary partial injunction. The ACLU of Tennessee and Lambda Legal, which challenged the law, said in a statement that “Denying transgender youth equality before the law and needlessly withholding the necessary medical care their families and their doctors know is right for them has caused and will continue to cause serious harm.” Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti praised the ruling. Read his statement here.

Attorneys from Nashville’s Sister City of Caen, France, visited the state capital today. Members of the Bar of Caen went to the Tennessee Supreme Court with several local attorneys, including past TBA presidents Sherie Edwards and Gail Vaughn Ashworth. The group heard from Justice Roger Page and Court of Appeals Judge Andy Bennett. They also toured the court and museum. See photos from the event.

Registration is now open for the Knoxville Bar Association's Law & Culture Journey to Panama, April 1-4, 2024. The four-night program based in Panama City includes visits to the Panama Canal and Gamboa Rainforest. Optional extended excursions on April 6-7 can be arranged uon request. Click here for more information. Early bird deadline is tomorrow.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued several rulings this week. First, it clarified that the economic loss doctrine, which limits the recovery of economic losses under tort law, applies only to products liability cases, not to contracts for services, and should not be expanded. This decision allowed a construction subcontractor to recover damages on its tort claims against a general contractor. Second, the court addressed the concept of personal jurisdiction, ruling that for a Tennessee court to have authority over a case, there must be a sufficient connection between the defendant and the state. Lastly, the court held that defendants convicted of vehicular homicide by intoxication cannot receive probation as specified in the 2017 amendment to the probation eligibility statute.

It's time for #TeamTBA! Meet the people behind the scenes and learn more about the moving parts, projects and staffers of the Tennessee Bar Association. Sheree Wright is the TBA’s new executive director! She leads the team in daily operations and works with the Board of Governors and other TBA leaders to carry out the mission of the bar. Before joining the TBA, she served as a senior associate general counsel at Vanderbilt University and was active in the Nashville, Tennessee and national legal communities. Wright says that her favorite part of the job is meeting TBA members and hearing about the wonderful things they are doing for the community and the profession. Her hobbies include cooking, reading and going to the gym, and says that if she could bring back a fashion trend, she’d pick 1950s clothes a la the first season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. That’s a wrap on this installment of #TeamTBA! Contact information for all staff is available here.

The Nashville School of Law will host a reception to welcome the newest member of the Tennessee Supreme Court, Justice Dwight E. Tarwater on Oct. 5 from 4:30-6 p.m. CDT at 4013 Armory Oaks Dr., Nashville 37204. The event is sponsored by the Tennessee Bar Association, the Lawyers' Association for Women, the Nashville Bar Association and Nashville School of Law. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served. RSVP at this link.